Evidence for a nuclear phase transition in target nuclei after relativistic nuclear interactions

The degree of excitation of the emulsion target nuclei due to nuclear interactions of oxygen and sulfur projectiles at 200 GeV/nucleon incident energy has been investigated. Using the plausible assumption that the numberN _b of slow particles emitted from the struck target nucleus can be interpreted as a measure of the temperatureT of the residual nucleus, we have found that there exists a critical temperatureT _c of the excited target nucleus. For Ag and Br target nuclei this temperature corresponds to <N _b>≌12 and it is attained when the impact parameters are less than about 4 fm.     

Information Bounds and Efficient Estimation in a Class of Censored Transformation Models

Transformation models provide a popular tool for regression analysis of censored failure time data. The most common approach towards parameter estimation in these models is based on nonparametric profile likelihood method. Several authors proposed also ad hoc M-estimators of the Euclidean component of the model. These estimators are usually simpler to implement and many of them have good practical performance. In this paper we consider the form of the information bound for estimation of the Euclidean parameter of the model and propose a modification of the inefficient M-estimators to one-step maximum likelihood estimates.     

Studies on pyrazine derivatives LII: Antibacterial and antifungal activity of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds obtained by pyrazinamidrazone usage

Using reactivity of pyrazinamidrazones and their N′‐substituted derivatives 1–8 in reaction with sulfonyl chlorides sulfone derivatives 9–17 were obtained, with orthoformate cyclized to sulfonyl compounds 18–20 . Amidrazones in reaction with pyraziniminoesters gave dihydrazidines 21–23 , which cyclized to 3,5‐dipyrazine derivatives of 1,2,4‐triazole 24–26 . 1‐Methyl‐ or 1‐phenyl‐3‐pyrazine‐1,2,4‐triazole 27–38 was formed in reaction of amidrazones 1–8 with orthoformate and orthoacetate or benzoyl chloride. N′‐Phenylamidrazones 3, 8 in reaction with thionyl chloride were transformed to 1,2,3,5‐thiatriazole S‐oxides 39, 40 . Obtained compounds exhibited low antibacterial activity. Antifungal activity was affirmed for compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 37, 39, and 40 , for which minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was in the concentration range of 16–128 μg/mL. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:49–58, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20751     

Mass Spectrometry versus Conventional Techniques of Protein Detection: Zika Virus NS3 Protease Activity towards Cellular Proteins

Mass spectrometry (MS) used in proteomic approaches is able to detect hundreds of proteins in a single assay. Although undeniable high analytical power of MS, data acquired sometimes lead to confusing results, especially during a search of very selective, unique interactions in complex biological matrices. Here, we would like to show an example of such confusing data, providing an extensive discussion on the observed phenomenon. Our investigations focus on the interaction between the Zika virus NS3 protease, which is essential for virus replication. This enzyme is known for helping to remodel the microenvironment of the infected cells. Several reports show that this protease can process cellular substrates and thereby modify cellular pathways that are important for the virus. Herein, we explored some of the targets of NS3, clearly shown by proteomic techniques, as processed during infection. Unfortunately, we could not confirm the biological relevance of protein targets for viral infections detected by MS. Thus, although mass spectrometry is highly sensitive and useful in many instances, also being able to show directions where cell/virus interaction occurs, we believe that deep recognition of their biological role is essential to receive complete insight into the investigated process.     

Virtual excitation of the GDR mode in the subbarrier23Na(p, γ)24Mg reaction

Differential cross sections for nonresonant radiative capture of low energy protons (E _p = 1,348 keV and 1,370 keV) by²³Na nuclei exhibit features pointing to the virtual excitation of the giant dipole resonance (GDR) mode. Theoretical analysis carried out within the framework of the direct — semidirect capture model reveals an enhanced coupling of the GDR with the incident protonf-wave consistent with the microscopic structure of the GDR in thes-d shell nuclei.     

Beyond Beer's Law: Why the Index of Refraction Depends (Almost) Linearly on Concentration

Beer's empiric law states that absorbance is linearly proportional to the concentration. Based on electromagnetic theory, an approximately linear dependence can only be confirmed for comparably weak oscillators. For stronger oscillators the proportionality constant, the molar attenuation coefficient, is modulated by the inverse index of refraction, which is itself a function of concentration. For comparably weak oscillators, the index of refraction function depends, like absorbance, linearly on concentration. For stronger oscillators, this linearity is lost, except at wavenumbers considerably lower than the oscillator position. In these transparency regions, linearity between the change of the index of refraction and concentration is preserved to a high degree. This can be shown with help of the Kramers–Kronig relations which connect the integrated absorbance to the index of refraction change at lower wavenumbers than the corresponding band. This finding builds the foundation not only for refractive index sensing, but also for new interferometric approaches in IR spectroscopy, which allow measuring the complex index of refraction function.